Windshield warmer



Nov. 24, 1953 L. E. IVERSON 2,659,942

WINDSHIELD WARMER Filed March 25, 1948 fifiaur'en 6. fzzerson Patented Nov. 24, 1 953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDSHIELD WARMER Lauren E. Iverson, St. Paul, Minn.

Application March 25, 1948, Serial No. 16,992

for maintaining the Windshields of motor vehicles a clear of frost. These frost shields usually comprise a sheet of transparent material secured in spaced relation to the windshield and sealed with respect thereto. While these devices are effective for their intended purpose, certain diificulties are involved. In the first place such frost shields are of little value in keeping the exterior surface of the windshield free of ice and sleet. Secondly when a number of persons enter a cold car, the frost shields often fog temporarily until the interior of the car warms to some extent.

The object of the present invention lies in the provision of a means of confining heated air close to the windshield and to allow constant circulation of this heated air. As a result a structure is provided which acts to heat the windshield and to thus prevent ice and sleet from freezing on the exterior surface thereof.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a means of directing the heated air from the defroster outlets of a car heating system against the windshield and to confine the air adjacent the windshield. By collecting the air and directing it in the manner specified, the air moves over the inner surface of the windshield at a relatively high rate of speed, thus serving to heat the windshield quickly.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a windshield heater comprising a sheet of transparent material having a downwardly inclined flange along its lower edge. This flange extends downwardly and inwardly from the inner surface of the windshield and tends to collect the air directed upwardly from the vehicle defroster. The collected air is directedbetween the transparent auxiliary pane and the windshield to heat the windshield.

Figure l is a diagrammatic view looking toward Figure 4 is an end elevation view of the modified form of construction illustrated in Figure 3.

The windshield heating device A is designed for use on each windshield panel In of a motor vehicle B. Obviously the device may also be applied to any other glass surface equipped with defroster outlets.

The windshield heater A includes a transparent panel II formed of transparent plastic, glass or any other suitable material. This panel II is preferably fiat throughout the major portion of its area, but is bent along a line I2 spaced from the bottom edge thereto to provide a downwardly and inwardly inclined flange I3. This flange I3 inclines downwardly and inwardly from the main portion of the panel to collect air as will be later described.

Means are provided for holding the panel II spaced from the windshield ID. A marginal strip I4 of rubber or other suitable cushioning material extends along the side edges I5 and I6 of the panel II and along the upper edge I1 thereof. This strip I4 is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings as having spaced apertures I9 therethrough along theportion of the strip extending across the top edge ll of the panel. The portions of the strip I4 extending along the side edges I5 and I6 of the panel II are also provided with spaced apertures 20, which are preferably somewhat larger than the apertures I9. As a result air is allowed to flow from the space between the panel I I and the windshield III, although the flow of air is confined to some extent. The holes I9 in the top portion of the strip allow the air to keep on circulating through the top portion of the shield to provide a continuous air movement along the upper edge of the shield. However, in

order to insure circulation of air throughout the entire area of the panel I I, the openings 20 in the side portions of the strip are somewhat larger than the openings I9. In other words, the openings I9 are somewhat restricted to create a lateral flow of air between the panel II and the windshield III so that the windshield is heated throughout the entire area of the panel I I.

If it is preferred the strip I 4 may be discontinuous to produce a similar result. In other words, the strip I4 may be formed in short lengths which are spaced apart to permit a relatively restricted flow through the upper edge of the panel structure. By spacing the short lengths of the strip I4 farther apart along the side edges of the panel II the flow of air laterally can be assisted.

In Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings I disclose a modified form of construction which has certain advantages over th previously described construction and also has certain disadvantages. The windshield heating device C illustrated in these figures includes a transparent panel 2| which is bent along a line 22 spaced from the lower edge of the panels 50 as to provide a downwardly and inwardly inclined flange 23. This panel 2! is designed for attachment to the windshield IE or the vehicle B much in the manner previously described in conjunction. with the heating device A, and in the same location. However, in place of the tape [4 which must be adhered or cemented both to the windshield l0 and to the panel I l, I provide suction cups for hold-- ing the device C in place. This suction cup structerial equipped with an integral flange inclining time has the disadvantage that it does not restrict the flow of air at the top of the auxilia-ry panel; On the other hand, it has the advantage of being easy to attach and quickly removable when it is 5 not required. In other words, the device C may be quickly attached in any time during cold weather and may be taken ofi to provide clearer;

vision during warmer weather.

As illustrated in- Figure 3 of the drawings a series of peripherally spaced slots Mare provided. about the edge of the panel 2|, two such slots being shown near the bend line 22- and a second;

pair of slots being shown near the upper edge of the panel 2|. These slots sl-idably support knobs- 25 mounted upon suction cups such. as 26. These suction cups 26. may be or any suitable shape or design and the. knobs. 25 are mounted centrally thereof on the back side. of the same for engage The knobs hold the. panel in fixed relation and when the suction cups; are secured to the inner surface of the windshield ment with the panel 21.

th panel 2| is held in spaced relation thereto.

It will be noted that the Windshield heating device C has a flange 23 similar to the flangev it of the heating device A. The flange. 23 is de described the principles of construction and oper-=' ation of my windshieldv warmer, andwhile I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments downwardly and outwardly from the lower edge of said paneLsaid flange being at least as long as said slot; and means for detachably holding said panel in a slightly spaced relation from said windshield with said flange overhanging said slot.

References Cited. in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 507,731 Horne Oct. 3-1, 1893 1,630,203 Norbeck May 24, 1927 1,741,058 Isaak -l Dec. 24, 1929 1,777,435 Hogelund Oct. 7, 1930 1,790,419 Heinemann et a1. Jan. 27, 1931- 2,032,998 Mickadeit Mar. 3, 1936 2,189,465 Haley et a1 Feb. 6, 1940 I .FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date.

161,458 Switzerland July 1, 1933 436,360 Great. Britain Oct. 9:, 1935 633,408

Germany Nov. 114, 1936 

